The answer to the question can lifestyle changes help your headaches are a resounding yes! You can do much to prevent recurrence and lessen the severity of your tension headaches. Tension headaches are just that, headaches caused by stress, anxiety, depression and tension. If you can make some simple changes in your life style and reduce the headaches wouldn't you?
Here are just a few simple ways of taking care of yourself and changing your lifestyle. First, create healthy habits. Eat and sleep at regular times. Eat whole grains, and forget about sugar and caffeine. Get plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. More than 80 percent of today's adults eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. Stay away from greasy and fatty foods. Broil instead of fry, and use products with low trans fat ingredients.
Sleep on a regular schedule. Go to bed, get up, and start your day at approximately the same time. Most adults require at least 8 hours of sleep each night to rest and rejuvenate their body. Children and teens require about 10 for maximum benefit.
Regular exercise and help you stay physically fit but also relieve stress. Walking, swimming, biking, or aerobics class can help reduce the frequency of your headaches. If you already have a headache, a mild form of exercise may help ease the pain. You should always see your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Manage your stress don't let stress manage you. If you know a situation will cause you stress, try planning ahead and being more organized. If a route to work is stressful for you, leave a little earlier, or take a different path. Allow yourself time to relax during the day. Practice some deep breathing techniques and check into biofeedback training.
If you find yourself in a stressful situation, take a step back from it. Allow your emotions to settle before tackling the problem. Take a deep breath and count to 10 slowly. Laugh when you feel like crying. Nothing is healthier than a good hearty belly laugh! It says in the Bible, laughter is good medicine and it is so true.
Learn how to relax your muscles. You might apply either heat or cold to muscles that are bunched up with tension. If you prefer heat, take a warm shower and allow the water to beat down on the sore muscles. You can use a heating pad turned to low, use a hot towel, or hot water bottle. Sometimes a nice long soak in a hot tub is enough to relax tense muscles and ease pain or prevent the headache from forming. If you prefer to use cold, be sure to wrap an ice pack in a cloth to avoid damage to the skin.
Massage is another great muscle relaxant. Gently massage your neck, forehead and shoulders with your fingertips. Better yet, get someone else to do it for you! This will relax you and also will help ease the pain if you already have a headache.
Last, practice good posture. Avoid standing or sitting in one spot too long, and wear comfortable shoes if you need to stand for long periods of time. Keep your abdomen and buttocks pulled in and your chin held high. Be sure if you are sitting that you are not sitting with your head slumped.
All these are great ways to change your lifestyle simply and reduce the risk of having one of those tension headaches.
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